As a Bostonian at heart, I can tell you that our city’s spirit is as rich and diverse as the songs that celebrate it. From the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill to the roar of Fenway Park, Boston’s essence has been captured in countless melodies over the years. Our city’s history, culture, and character have inspired musicians across genres, each offering a unique perspective on what makes Boston truly special.
In this playlist, we’ll dive into 8 songs that paint a vivid picture of our beloved city. These tracks aren’t just about Boston; they’re the soundtrack of our lives here. They capture the pride we feel walking along the Freedom Trail, the energy of a night out in the North End, and the resilience that defines us as a community.
Contents
- 1. “I Want My City Back” by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
- 2. “Dirty Water” by The Standells
- 3. “Bill Lee” by Warren Zevon
- 4. “Rock & Roll Band” by Boston
- 5. “Boston” by Kenny Chesney
- 6. “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys
- 7. “Midnight Rambler” by The Rolling Stones
- 8. “Roadrunner” by The Modern Lovers
1. “I Want My City Back” by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
“I Want My City Back” is a poignant track from The Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ 2002 album “A Jackknife to a Swan”. The song serves as a lament for the changing face of Boston, particularly mourning the loss of The Rathskeller, affectionately known as The Rat, a legendary club where the Bosstones began their musical journey. This nostalgic piece reflects the band’s deep connection to their hometown and their struggle with the city’s evolving landscape.
The song captures the bittersweet feelings of watching a beloved city transform, potentially losing some of its character in the process. It’s a common theme in urban narratives, where long-time residents grapple with gentrification and the loss of familiar landmarks. The Bosstones, through this track, express their desire to reclaim the Boston they once knew, highlighting the emotional impact of urban change on those who call the city home.
2. “Dirty Water” by The Standells
“Dirty Water” by The Standells is an iconic song about Boston, released in 1966. Despite none of the band members being from Boston, the track has become an unofficial anthem for the city. The song’s title refers to the notoriously polluted Charles River, which had become a dumping ground for industrial waste.
Written by the band’s producer Ed Cobb, “Dirty Water” is a tongue-in-cheek tribute to Boston. It mentions several local landmarks and issues, including the Boston University women’s curfew and even a reference to the Boston Strangler. The song’s catchy chorus, “Well I love that dirty water, Oh, Boston, you’re my home,” has become a rallying cry for Boston sports fans.
Despite its initial release to little fanfare, “Dirty Water” eventually became a hit, peaking at No. 11 on the Billboard singles charts. Over the years, it has been adopted by Boston sports teams, including the Red Sox and the Bruins, who play it after home victories. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its ability to capture a certain spirit of Boston, blending affection with a touch of self-deprecating humor about the city’s quirks and challenges.
3. “Bill Lee” by Warren Zevon
“Bill Lee” is a short, poignant track from Warren Zevon’s 1980 album “Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School”. The song pays tribute to Bill “Spaceman” Lee, the eccentric pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and Montreal Expos. Zevon composed this minimalist piece featuring just his piano and harmonica, with Glenn Frey providing harmony vocals.
The song’s brevity (only 1:37 in length) belies its emotional depth. It captures the essence of Lee’s unconventional personality and his impact on baseball culture. Zevon wrote the song after Lee visited him during his rehabilitation, demonstrating the personal connection between the musician and the athlete. This intimate composition stands out on the album for its stripped-down arrangement, allowing Zevon’s lyrics and melody to shine through unadorned.
4. “Rock & Roll Band” by Boston
“Rock & Roll Band” is a classic track from Boston’s self-titled debut album, released in 1976. Written by Tom Scholz, the band’s primary songwriter and guitarist, the song tells a romanticized version of the band’s origin story. Despite being presented as an autobiographical account, Scholz admits that the lyrics are “pure fantasy” and don’t reflect the band’s actual journey to success.
The song’s narrative follows a struggling band playing bars and sleeping in cars before being discovered by a record executive. In reality, Boston’s path to stardom involved years of hard work and rejection. The track features Scholz on clavinet, guitars, and bass, with Brad Delp on vocals and Jim Masdea on drums – the only song on the debut album to feature Masdea’s drumming.
“Rock & Roll Band” became a staple of FM radio and a fan favorite, often opening Boston’s live performances. Its catchy melody and upbeat tempo make it a quintessential classic rock anthem, inspiring air guitar performances and sing-alongs among listeners.
5. “Boston” by Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney’s “Boston” is a heartfelt tribute to the city and its people, released on his 2005 album “Be As You Are”. Although Chesney hails from East Tennessee, he developed a strong connection with Boston and its surrounding areas through his frequent performances at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
The song tells the story of a young woman from Boston living in the Virgin Islands, where Chesney has a home. It captures the essence of New Englanders who seek a different lifestyle while maintaining their roots. The lyrics paint a vivid picture with lines like “She wears a Red Sox cap to hide her baby dreads,” blending Boston’s iconic baseball team with the laid-back island culture.
Chesney’s affection for Boston extends beyond the song. He has developed friendships with several New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox players, and he considers his relationship with the city to be “in the soul”. The song has become particularly meaningful to Boston audiences, especially after Chesney dedicated a live performance to the victims and first responders of the 2015 Boston Marathon bombing.
“Boston” is a testament to Chesney’s ability to connect with places and people beyond his Southern roots, showcasing his versatility as a songwriter and performer. The track has become a beloved anthem for both Boston natives and those who, like the song’s subject, have found a second home away from New England.
6. “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys
“I’m Shipping Up to Boston” is a high-energy Celtic punk song by the Dropkick Murphys, released in 2005 on their album “The Warrior’s Code”. The track gained widespread popularity after being featured in Martin Scorsese’s 2006 film “The Departed”. The song’s lyrics are based on a set of unpublished words by folk legend Woody Guthrie, which the band set to their own music with permission from Guthrie’s daughter.
The song’s driving rhythm, bagpipes, and rousing chorus have made it an anthem for Boston sports teams, particularly the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Bruins. It’s often played at Fenway Park and TD Garden during games. The track’s popularity extends beyond Boston, becoming a staple at sporting events across the United States.
7. “Midnight Rambler” by The Rolling Stones
While “Midnight Rambler” by The Rolling Stones is not specifically about Boston, it has a connection to the city through its subject matter. The song, released on the 1969 album “Let It Bleed”, was inspired by the notorious Boston Strangler case. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wrote the song drawing from the crimes of Albert DeSalvo, who confessed to being the Boston Strangler.
The track is known for its bluesy, menacing sound and its dynamic live performances. It’s a staple of The Rolling Stones’ concerts, often featuring extended instrumental sections and dramatic delivery by Jagger. While the song doesn’t explicitly mention Boston, its inspiration from the city’s dark history adds an extra layer of significance for Boston audiences.
8. “Roadrunner” by The Modern Lovers
“Roadrunner” by The Modern Lovers is often considered one of the greatest songs about Massachusetts, with a strong focus on Boston and its surroundings. Written by Jonathan Richman and recorded in 1972, the song was first released in 1976 on The Modern Lovers’ self-titled debut album. Richman’s lyrics celebrate the joy of driving along Route 128 at night, listening to the radio, and experiencing the beauty of his home state.
The song’s repetitive, driving rhythm and simple chord progression have made it a proto-punk classic. It name-checks several Boston-area locations, including Stop & Shop supermarket, the Massachusetts Turnpike, and suburban towns like Quincy, Cohasset, and Deer Island. “Roadrunner” has been covered by numerous artists and has become an enduring anthem of Boston rock.
In 2013, there was even a campaign to make “Roadrunner” the official rock song of Massachusetts, highlighting its cultural significance to the state. While the campaign ultimately didn’t succeed, it demonstrates the song’s deep connection to Boston and its surrounding areas.
Serena Whitfield is the founder of PlaylistCurator.org. She’s a musician who writes songs for bands. She studied music at the University of Oxford and graduated with distinction. With her expertise, she knows how to review songs and understand what makes good and bad music. Every playlist on our platform is approved by her before publishing to maintain top-notch quality. If you want her to check out your song and maybe get featured on our playlist, submit your song for Serena to evaluate.